<p>I’m in big trouble. I was out of the office for almost two weeks on vacation, then a couple of days later, the whole family got a violent stomach bug. So now I’m recovering from bein gill and am very behind with things at work and at home. I can’t delegate stuff at work because I need the billable hours. Can anyone suggest some foods to eat to give me energy and stamina over the next few weeks?</p>
<p>Aside from lean protein (like grilled chicken), I would suggest bananas as a snack food. Hope you feel better soon. I empathize with the billable hours concern.</p>
<p>I find that sugar and white foods (white rice, white flour, etc.) do a number on my energy levels, so you might try avoiding them.</p>
<p>Can you take energy drinks such as Ensure?</p>
<p>Banana is good. Add honey to your coffee instead of sugar.</p>
<p>Whole grains. chicken and fish, vegetables (I love mine roasted with olive oil).
I do a fruit shake every morning - blueberries, strawberries, bananas, mangos, greek yogurt.
Stay away from sugar if possible.
Use blue agave instead of honey or sugar (it looks like honey though). It has a low glycemic index - so it doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar.<br>
Coffee alway helps.</p>
<p>What I do on long trips for energy is bring power bars for the kids and me. These are great, and have really transformed our energy/blood sugar levels. </p>
<p>Make sure you get something that has a decent (at least 5 grms) of protein and some fiber. We’ve had South Beach chocolate bars (140 cals, lots of protein), Balance bars, Kashi bars (lots of nuts in those, 140 cals) and Fiber-One bars (9 grams of fiber–which is great, and some protein).</p>
<p>Also–stay hydrated. I (& the kids) drink flavored seltzer water (comes in big bottles, fruit flavored–it’s in the soda aisle at the grocery). This is better than Diet Coke, etc., because you don’t have the terrible crash afterwards.</p>
<p>If you need caffeine, I’d make sure to do a 1/2 caf- 1/2 de-caf blend of coffee—the crash is not so bad, then, and you at least get some energy.</p>
<p>Start the day with eggs, eat mainly protein and veggies, and minimize grains. And avoid additives. Add in yogurt (plain, non-sugared) if you tolerate dairy. The probiotics will be very helpful. Good luck! I hope you get a little rest…</p>
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<p>Do you make these yourself? They sound good. We’re back to smoothies here - a frozen bag of mixed fruit and an can of coconut milk, with a little water added if necessary, blended in the smoothie machine. Very refreshing.</p>
<p>treetop - yes my DH makes them every morning - definitely addicted. We use mostly fresh fruit but also add frozen mangoes from Trader Joes. Love the greek yogurt.
Power bars are good on the run -favorite right now is Fiber One. I also take raw unsalted almonds and bananas with me - and drink lots of water.
Organic peanut butter on sliced apples and hummus on cucumber rounds are great for snacks.
It’s not just about food though. Get enough sleep and try to get back to an exercise routine (assuming you didn’t do much when you were sick!).</p>
<p>missypie–I also take a bag of baby carrots w/me & an apple…if you eat a little at a time (& little bits of power bars) that can give you consistent energy.</p>
<p>Great ideas, everyone. But first I have to get to the point where my sore little tummy can handle all of this!</p>
<p>I suggest couple things-
make sure you are getting enough sleep ( from "the do as I say , not as I do "manual)
If having trouble I suggest melatonin 1mg an hour before bed, if camomile tea isn’t enough.
Aerobic exercises for about an hour- if you can manage it, at least three times a week will give you more energy. ( do what you can- as you have been ill, but it will help you recoup faster as it will jumpstart immune system )
I also agree with the staying hydrated. If it is hard to drink that much plain water try emergenc-e ( actually adds energy as well- because B vitamins), it comes in packets at the grocery or health food stores. ( slightly effervescent so should help tummy)
Mint or ginger tea also helps stomach upset.</p>
<p>understood missypie. When my stomach is queasy, I can usually still eat bananas, toast with jam, rice with apple sauce, and chicken broth with noodles. Slowly, I try to add bland foods like turkey, plain chicken and other fruits and veggies.<br>
I usually stay away from dairy until all is clear.
Be sure to hydrate. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s sell electrolyte enhanced water …a good thing to have around.</p>
<p>When I am coming back up to speed after a stomach bug, it is English muffins with jam and a little butter, soup, and tea. Caffeine though as soon as my stomach can handle it. I think eating light is actually kind of important and eating much of anything will actually sap your energy rather than enhance it, so small amounts of high quality whole foods, is what I’d suggest, and a Clif bar if you have to skip a meal.</p>
<p>Gatorade is the way to go.</p>
<p>I love the original lemon lime Gatorade. I can almost trick myself into thinking it is a weak margarita.</p>
<p>Isn’t Gatorade basically sugar water with some electrolytes? I can’t believe that this would be good for energy levels, unless the person has been exercising hard.</p>
<p>NYMomof2 is right on the sugar content. There is a new Gatorade though, G2 I think, that has something like half the sugar (and still tastes fine), so you might try that. </p>
<p>There is also a sparkling flavored water called Hi Ball that Whole Foods carries. It tastes like lime (or berry, etc.) Perrier but it has tons of caffeine (almost as much as a Red Bull), plus B vitamins and ginseng and guarana and taurine etc. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone just recovering from anything, but if you are feeling well and need a burst of energy with no sugar, it definitely does the trick unless that much caffeine (about like 2 Diet Cokes which I don’t drink any more) makes you jittery.</p>
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